(16 Jun 2014, 8:45 pm)Marcus wrote That's what I'm trying to say - if a big attraction like a Cinema or 5 Star Restaurant were to be opened in either Dalton Park or Royal Quays, then maybe a whirr of business would come in, and thus boost the whole outlet as a whole.
5 Star Restaurant?! - Don't think that would suit the target market for outlett centres! There is already a decent Brewers Fayre resturants down there, and I don't think a cinema would be necessary, as they already have Star Bowling and Wet n' Wild which will bring business to the shops, in addition to the hotel and ferry terminal which will give the Royal Quays a boost.
(16 Jun 2014, 9:03 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote That's the problem though. People going shopping don't want to be faffing on changing bus with bags of shopping or coming out of the cinema having to plan a journey home/connections to the minute, especially on a night.
Even though I live nearer DP than Sunderland, Gateshead or Boldon cinemas - it would be harder to get to DP using public transport.
Like others, I would be within minutes of the cinema at Sunderland if I went to DP via Park Lane.
It is a suggestions thread, of course it is all ifs and buts.
Stage 2 has been given the go-ahead. It is happening...
Indeed it is, has been given the go ahead and work is due to be started soon, and scheduled to take approximately twelve months.
I totally agree, Dalton Park is a nightmare to get to unless you live in Sunderland, Peterlee or Durham. I'd probably have to get four buses! Royal Quays is a bit better like, as if you got the Shields Ferry or the Metro there is easy frequent connections onto the 17 or 19.
(16 Jun 2014, 10:45 pm)gtom wrote Why would a 5 star restaurant open in a budget outlet retail unit in County Durham? (or Royal Quays for that matter)
A cinema doesn't necessarily mean bus links, Boldon is poorly served (as an example) as is the Cineworld at Silverlink.
The basic facts are that Royal Quays, Dalton etc are not interested in public transport users, they were not and are not built around them and they certainly will not grow around them, they will grow inspite of them.
Aye, Silverlink is terribly served. Only the 19 goes there, and surely if another service was diverted that way, more customers would visit? It does have a huge range of shops, and now that the M&S at South Shields has been moved over here, more bus links should be provided. It does have a range of restaurants too, as well as the Odeon. So I think it would be worthwhile to divert another bus through that way.